A better way to deal with volatile emotions

Psalm 143:2 “And do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no man living is righteous.”

“I can’t stand her! She treated me wrongly and I am done!”

Have any of you ever said or thought these words? If you are honest I am sure that you, like me, have expressed these feelings at one time or another. Maybe a friend betrayed your trust … or a client did you wrong … or a family member pushed the wrong button one too many times. People are imperfect and regular contact affords plenty of opportunity for rubbing one another the wrong way. Hurt feelings and raw emotions sometimes get the better of us. But what if there were a different way of handling the situation?

Psalms is a wonderful book. Located near the middle of the Bible; its pages are filled with hymns and prayers from a number of different writers. For centuries many have found great comfort by peeking into the thoughts and emotions of those long gone. God, in His wisdom, chose to share with us the deepest feelings of some of His children in order to help us process our own struggles correctly and find comfort in time of need.

Recently, while reading Psalm 143, I was struck by the passion with which David cried out to God for deliverance and guidance. An enemy was persecuting his soul and the descriptive words seem to suggest that his circumstances may have brought on anxiety and depression. I can almost imagine this man at the end of his rope uttering, “I can’t stand this enemy! He is treating me wrongly and I am done!”

But even as David cried out to God for help he also prayed that God would not judge him for his own sins. He recognized that he was a sinner and needed God’s mercy and that no man is righteous in God’s sight. Later David expressed his trust and understanding of God’s lovingkindness, faithfulness, and righteousness. He belonged to the Lord, asked for deliverance, and found refuge in Him. He did not take matters into his own hands, but waited for the Lord to act.

When an irritating person – maybe even an enemy – has gone too far, we can go straight to the Lord with our complaints. Just as the Psalmist vented all his emotions, we too can call upon the Lord in our distress. But it is important to remember that no one is righteous in God’s sight apart from Jesus – not even you! Everyone needs forgiveness. Thankfully, God doesn’t remember us according to our sin, but according to His mercy.

Don’t take matters in your own hands. Ask the Lord to help you see things differently or to intervene when the situation warrants it. And maybe, instead of being done with the person, you will find you can forgive as the Lord has forgiven you. — Love, Mama